Tracing the Diversity of the Chinese Diaspora
ABOUT
In collaboration with
Somchai Kwangthongpanich,
Natta Thapparat (Theatre 2 Go)
Napatr Lertsaowapark (Tee) (26 Braised Beef)
“Cheen Nai?: tracing the diversity of the chinese diaspora”, uncovers the complex history of the largest Chinese communities in Bangkok, blending culinary and cultural influences. Curated with Somchai Kwangtongpanich and Theatre To Go, it reveals the evolving identity of Chinese food in Bangkok.
Natta Thapparat
13 March 2025
15 March 2025
9.00 - 13.00
Yaowarat - Wangbura
Conducted in Thai and English, with simultaneous English translation.
1,000 THB per route
Reserve the Seats
is an art manager and consultant with a degree in Dramatic Arts and an MFA in Theatre Design. Her career began in Hong Kong, managing art projects and expanding into event branding and live experience design. Recognized with the PQ2023 award for Visionary Scenographic Strategies, she is celebrated for innovative collaborations and redefining audience engagement. In 2024, her “Street Food Theatre” project explored the landscape of Bangkok’s Old Town, the tastes of heritage-immigrant cuisine, and urban memory, integrating street environments, food culture, and performance art into immersive, site-specific experiences. Through initiatives like “Theatre To GO,” Natta connects Thai performing arts to global audiences while preserving and celebrating cultural heritage.
Napatr Lertsaowapark
has never called himself a chef, as he has never attended culinary school or undergone formal kitchen training. However, his passion for and knowledge of food were nurtured by his family’s eating culture. With 30 years of self-training and experience behind the family business “Nai Soie Braised Beef Pra Athit Road,” 26 Braised Beef “Yih Sahp Luhk” represents the heritage of his family and a culmination of collective culinary experiences. He has interpreted this legacy into what he calls “GOOD FOOD,” made to be shared with everyone.
Somchai Kwangthongpanic
Somchai Kwangthongpanich is the owner of the rope shop "Kongkasem" and a local historian with a passion for Chinese culture in Yaowarat. His interests span various dimensions, from food and community history to maps and architecture that reflect the city's changes. He is also a collector of historical photographs. Somchai plays a significant role in establishing the Samphanthawong District Local Museum and serves as an advisor for the creation of the Yaowarat Community History Center at Wat Traimit. He is also a speaker at TEDxBangkok 2016 and a guest lecturer on local wisdom at King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi.
COLLABORATORS' NOTES
Save as Food
Natta: The traces of original eateries from the era of our mothers’ childhood have nearly vanished. Some have managed to pass down their recipes from the original owners, while others have evolved into something entirely new—through a process of “learning by observing,” blending familiar Thai-Chinese flavors. Each dish tells a story of transition, of recipes and ownership shifting hands with the passage of time.
Tee: “Much like Yih Sahp Luhk (26 Braised Beef), a restaurant we created to both compete with and honor my own mother. It is an endeavor to preserve the flavors of memory while evolving them for the future.”
From Peninsula to the Melting Pot
MAHANAK
ABOUT
In collaboration with
Boonpong Panich & Nisachol Prasatsuwan (Cherry Theatre)
Suniti Chuthamas (Princess Sirindhorn Anthropology Center)
15 March 2025
16 March 2025
14.30 - 18.30
Mahakarn Fort - Mahanak Community
Conducted in Thai and English, with simultaneous English translation.
1,000 THB per route
Reserve the Seats
“Mahanak: from peninsula to the melting pot”; curated with Suniti Chuthamas and Cherry Theatre, explores the culinary heritage of Bangkok’s Muslim community, delving into its rich traditions.
Cherry Theatre
is a theatre company dedicated to developing learning and life skills through the integration of theatrical arts and creative experiences. They specialize in applied theatre, including creative drama, theatre in education, theatre for young people, community-based theatre, mindfulness play, and facilitating theatre processes for personal development for non-actors (such as hospital theatre, industrial theatre, etc.). Additionally, they use both the product and process of theatrical activities as tools for organizational development in both public and private sectors, emphasizing joyful participation and a liberating learning experience.
Suniti Chuthamas
a researcher at the Princess Sirindhorn Anthropology Center in Bangkok. Trained in archaeology from Thailand and Jordan, his work weaves stories of Muslim heritage through archaeology and ancient Arabic-Persian-Malay-Thai texts to bridges Thailand and Southeast Asia to the Islamic world. And through ethnographic journeys in Bangkok, he uncovers the rich historical and cultural diversity of Thailand's Muslim minority, bringing forgotten narratives to life.
COLLABORATORS' NOTES
Nothing Lasts Forever (But Food Heals)
Journey, Suffering, Fasting, Memory, Farewell, and When Food Heals the Heart
Cherry Theatre: Taking place during the fasting period, it sparks an inner question: what is the philosophy of life in the midst of deprivation?
As we delve deeper into the area, we discover a collage of images connected to the experience of fasting and the varied lives of those living along the canal—a continuum of birth, aging, illness, death, farewells, and memories. This journey also reveals a unique culture spanning just 2-3 kilometers, tied to the rituals of cleansing both body and soul.
In a world where “nothing lasts forever,” we may need to cultivate resilience to overcome suffering, to appreciate the value of what we have, and to perceive and understand the true nature of reality. During these critical moments, food and drink can serve as a sacred healing force, nourishing the spirit and empowering us to continue our journey… along the way.
Suniti: The exciting and captivating part of our journey is strolling through the alleys, canals, and buildings of the old town along both sides of the Mahanak Canal. Together, we will open ourselves to new experiences—observing, listening, smelling, and tasting—while immersing in the way of life of people from diverse ethnicities and religious beliefs. These interconnected stories of the past will lead us to a deeper understanding of what it means to be people of Bangkok today.
CHEEN NAI?
